
qass_CTZ»T5— 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 



ABRAHAM VEST, 



OR, 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 



A TRUE NARRATIVE. 



"0 scenes surpassing fable, and yet true.' 7 



1 )C 



[second thousand.] 



BOSTON : 

JOHN PUTNAM, 81 CORNHILL. 

1347. 



^*% 

*%«- 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 184?, 

BY ABRAHAM VEST, 

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts, 

35 n 4^ 

'ot 



v <v» 



CONTENTS, 



Introduction, ♦ 

CHAPTER I. 

Early Recollections, . . . v . 

CHAPTER II. 

Wanderings with Indians- — Escape from them, 

CHAPTER III. 

Circumstances and sufferings at Providence and 



Smithfield, 



CHAPTER IV. 

Reception at Woonsocket — Homelessness — En- 
gagement in a Factory- — Goes off — Occurren- 
ces in Mendon, ..... 

CHAPTER V. 
Arrival at New-England Village-— Employment 
—Schooling— Marriage, .... 

CHAPTER VI. 

Embarrassments— The Revival — Conversion — 
Baptism, . .... 



13 



17 



28 



39 



48 



57 



64 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Interest in his Early History — " Narrative" — 
Correspondence — Discovery, ... 73 

CHAPTER Till. 

Journey to Ontario — Interviews — Occurrences 
of one Day, ...... 85 

CHAPTER IX. 

Letter — Festivals — Sabbath Meetings — Adieus 
— Departure, 103 

CHAPTER X. 
Return — " Incident" — Arrival Home — Mo- 
ther's Letter, 114 

CHAPTER XI. 

Some farther Account of Parents — Painful oc- 
currences disclosed, .... 125 

CHAPTER XII. 

Mystery Explained — Happy Change — Letter 
— Conclusion, . , . . . .134 



PREFACE, 



The facts contained in this little volume, 
have been chiefly furnished by Mr. Vest ;— 
the verity of a large portion of them, howev- 
er, rests not simply on his testimony, but has 
been corroborated from other sources. They 
are, what they profess to be, Facts. In- 
deed, the subscribers, who have for some 
time been personally acquainted with the sub- 
ject of them, believe that they have the clear- 
est and most satisfactory evidence of the truth 
of all that is contained in the following nar- 
rative. 



X PREFACE, 

It will be perceived, in perusing these 
pages, that the early childhood of " The Cast- 
off" boy, is, still, to some extent, shrouded in 
mystery. How long he remained at Troy, 
N. Y., after being left there by his mother ? — 
what was the occasion of his leaving that 
place ? — at what time he commenced his wan- 
derings among the Indians?— how long he was 
with them, and what portion of time he passed 
in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, before he 
arrived at the village of his present residence ? 
— these are questions which it must be the work 
of time correctly and fully to unravel, if it ever 
be done. 

In furnishing the materials for this story, 
much credit is justly due to C. P. Smith, Esq., 
post-master at Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y., 
who has spared no pains to obtain, from the pa- 
rents and others, such facts as were necessary 
to the preparation of this work, — and also to 
C. M. Pratt, Esq., post-master of New Eng- 



PREFACE. XI 

land Village, Mass., who has cheerfully lent 
similar aid. 

To the editor of the Christian Watchman, 
in particular, for publishing the "Narrative," 
drawn up with a view to elicit information, — 
and to other editors for copying the same, 
the subscribers tender their hearty thanks. 

The communications of the mother, it is be- 
lieved, will give much interest to the account 
— the language and style of which are preserv- 
ed entire, with only one or two slight verbal 
alterations. 

This volume has been prepared under cir- 
cumstances somewhat unfavorable, both from 
the difficulty of determining dates, and also of 
readily securing the information desired on 
several points. Many of the materials re- 
lating to the early history of the " The Cast- 
off" boy, beyond his own recollections, have 
been obtained from correspondence. 

The subscribers, however, send it forth to 
the public, with the hope that its imperfec- 
tions and deficiencies will be readily excused, 



Xll PREFACE. 

— with the belief that it will furnish important 
lessons of instruction,— -with the desire that its 
sale may be such as to bring pecuniary profit 
to the subject of it, and with their prayers, that 
it may contribute something to the cause of 
Humanity, Temperance, Virtue, and Religion. 

Hervey Fitts, 
Wm. C. Richards. 
Sept 20, 1847. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It has sometimes been justly observed^ 
that " facts are stranger than fiction." Such 
facts, it is reasonable to suppose, will be 
sought and read with interest, in this age 
when fiction is so eagerly devoured. A 
fondness for narratives is not surprising; 
but all true ones are not equally profitable. 
Even in the choice of such productions there 
should be careful discrimination and se- 
lection. The account given in this volume, 
has, it is believed, much in it to interest, and 
in the opinion of many, is adapted to afford 
useful instruction, and also deeply and prof- 
itably to affect the heart. 
1 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

As readers generally are desirous of 
knowing all, and not simply a part of a sub- 
ject, the following history has been written 
with somewhat of particularity and minute- 
ness, not merely to gratify a reasonable curi- 
osity, but as affording opportunity to improve 
certain incidents, in a way to awaken in hu- 
man bosoms a deeper sense of the goodness of 
God, and of his providential care over us ; 
and also to fix it in the heart, that virtue is 
lovely and kind, and vice ugly and cruel. 

" A Deity believed, is joy begun ; 
A Deity adored, is joy advanced ; 
A Deity beloved, is joy matured." 

Abraham Vest is no fictitious character- — 
but a person who lives in New England 
Village, near Worcester, Mass., and is well 
known in this community. A short time 
since, he did not know who were his pa- 
rents, where he was born, or what was his 
age, or name ; singular circumstance, as it 



INTRODUCTION. 15 

may well be supposed. Tndeed, his whole 
history is remarkable and strange, and it 
would not be surprising if the reader is al- 
ready anxious to learn every thing in regard 
to it. Be patient, and read on in a regular 
course to the end, and your curiosity will be 
relieved, and your heart be filled, it is hoped, 
with gratitude to the Giver of every good 
and perfect gift. 

11 Safety and health to God belong, 
He heals the weak, and guards the strong, 
'Tis to his care, we owe our breath, 
And all our near escapes from death." 



ABRAHAM VEST. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY RECOLLECTIONS. 

11 The broken ties of happier days, 

How often do they seem 
To come before our mental gaze, 

Like a remembered dream ! ' ' 

It seems proper that this history should 
commence with the early recollections of its 
subject — recollections of interest indeed, but 
which cannot probably be related in the or- 
der in which the remembered events took 
place. Abraham recollects being employed, 
to some profit, when he was very young. 
1* 



18 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

His occasional trips after milk will never be 
forgotten, when, pail in hand, he trudged 
along the street, noticing with anxious care 
the treasure within, lest some of it should 
escape, to the injury of his credit and of his 
back. The chip-basket was also a house- 
hold article, which he was sometimes made 
to see, and to seize, whatever might be his 
inclination. Probably, however, he was as 
well pleased with what seemed to him like 
work, as other children are ; but perhaps 
not so well as they would be, if they better 
understood that to be usefully employed is 
one of the greatest sources of enjoyment, and 
felt the importance of forming in early life 
industrious habits. 

" Be active, be active, 

And do what you can, 
'Tis industry only 

That maketh the man." 

Abraham was very fond of play, and like 
other children he had his favorite associates. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 19 

Among that number was one to whom he 
was ardently attached. The name of that 
one, as he thinks, was Elleck Sickle, or a 
name like it in sound. Probably that child 
loved Abraham — was kind and obliging to 
him, and thus drew out Abraham's affec- 
tions. It is by manifesting love to others, that 
we obtain their love. Like begets its like in 
kind — a smile, a smile ; and a frown, a frown. 
"A man that hath friends, must show him- 
self friendly," is a divine declaration. 

" A little word in kindness spoken, 

A motion, or a tear, 
Has often healed the heart that's broken, 

And made a friend sincere." 
i 
The days of sport and glee do not al- 
ways last, and even scenes of joyous- 
ness are chequered with other scenes. So 
the child of this history found it. So has 
it been with others. Abraham has a re- 
membrance of living in some thickly set- 
tled place, (Albany, as he supposed,) and 



20 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

of frolicks and gambols with children there* 
But more distinctly fixed in his memory, 
are several painful occurrences. Among 
these is a fright which he received from 
some person dressed in disguise, and in a 
frightful manner, on purpose to terrify him. 
It was probably done for sport ; perhaps it 
was done to secure obedience. But such 
things are dangerous, cruel and wicked. 
Nothing of the kind should ever be practised 
or countenanced. 

On another occasion, Abraham recollects 
having his cup full of joy dashed over at 
once, and filled with bitterness — sad re- 
verse, truly ; but it is the fashion of this 
world. The fairest days are often followed 
by the foulest. 

" We should suspect some danger nigh, 
Where we possess delight." 

The occurrence alluded to was this. He 
had just picked up on the sidewalk a beau- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 21 

tiful trunk key. Its brightness made his 
eyes shine. He thought he had obtained a 
prize, and ran home, (for then he had a 
home,) much delighted. But he was met 
with a frown instead of a smile, and with 
severe reproof, instead of kind words. With 
a harsh tone he was told that he had been 
naughty, that he had stolen it. A whipping 
was threatened him, and most likely would 
have been inflicted, had not his innocence 
been soon discovered by a kind providence. 
Such a reception by the person to whom he 
carried the key, was wrong. Its effect was 
bad. He ought not to have been thus charged, 
and treated, without proof of his guilt. How 
often are persons suspected of some ill, when 
there is no ground for the suspicion ! Be- 
ware of "evil surmisings." 

" Speak kindly to the little child, 
Lest from his heart you drive away 
The light of love, whose visions mild, 
Are like the opening dawn of day." 



22 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

Abraham recollects a much sadder change 
from mirth to sorrow, than the one just men- 
tioned, on account of its severer consequen- 
ces. It occurred on the eventful day of his 
first remembered ride. The morning of that 
day had several incidents in it that afforded 
him enjoyment. He felt specially interest- 
ed, when, as it now seems to him, a basket 
of butternuts was brought into the house 
where he lived. He noticed, soon after this 
event, two women talking earnestly togeth- 
er, on the sidewalk, and the one he now 
thinks of somewhat as of an acquaintance, 
asked him which of the two he would 
choose to go with, and live with ; and then 
they talked with him about the good ride 
he would have, and the gingerbread and 
sweetmeats he should receive, and the sights 
he would see. He felt, he says, curiously, 
while they thus talked. At length, he 
wanted to go. The idea of a ride, and of 
cake and sweetmeats, and sights, pleased 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 23 

him much. With a smiling countenance, 
he got into some carriage with the strange 
woman, and rode off. The eatables he re- 
ceived, the objects he saw, and the pleasure 
of riding, kept him cheerful for a season. 
But, by-and-by, there came strange sensa- 
tions over his soul. He felt that something 
was wrong— that he was in trouble. The 
carriage stopped, (a stage coach, he suppos- 
es,) and they got out. He looked at the 
woman. Her face was dark and singular. 
There was nothing attractive to him in her 
appearance. The ride was now over, and 
the cake all gone. Thus ended in sadness 
and gloom, the day that looked to him so 
bright in its beginning. 

" So pleasures only bloom to die." 

They now travelled on foot for several 
days, lodged w~here they could, and begged 
by the way. This colored woman in her 
begging attempts would tell most pitiful sto- 



24 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

ries of her losses and crosses, and disap- 
pointments. But as impressed on his mem- 
ory, the story which she most relied on to 
move the hearts of the people, and gain pres- 
ents from them, was one in regard to being 
burned out, and the dreadful loss she had 
sustained by fire. And the things which 
she was most anxious to keep herself sup- 
plied with, in some way, were rum and to- 
bacco — true yoke-fellows, but real trou- 
blers to Abraham— the one endangering his 
back, and the other his eyes. It was sorry, 
debasing business for this vagabond, even 
to puff the '• Indian weed," and take the 
" liquid fire" — business which no person 
who respects himself will choose to do at 
the present day. Well, puffing, and drink- 
ing, and begging she went, as one ioho had 
no character to lose. 

Probably in consequence of the imposi- 
tions which this woman and others of the 
like kind have practised on the public, some 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 25 

of the poor from misfortune, have failed to 
receive the sympathy and assistance which 
they really deserved. It is true, begging 
ought never to be resorted to, if it can be 
avoided, and on no account should falsehood 
be uttered ; still there may be cases where 
it would be sin in a person not to make 
known his necessities, and a great sin in 
others not to relieve them when disclosed. 
Such, however, were not the necessities of 
Abraham's travelling companion; though it 
was well for him, and sometimes for his 
special advantage, that she could produce 
at times a favorable impression by her fire 
story on those whom she addressed. On 
one occasion he found himself the happy re- 
cipient of a new pair of shoes, which she 
had thus obtained. That was a sunny spot 
to him, amidst the scenes of gloom and 
darkness. Emotions of joy filled his bosom, 
as they covered his bruised and suffering 
feet, all new and shining, and as his own. 



26 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

If every child felt as happy as he did, on 
the reception of such presents, how would 
the stream of life sparkle with its ten thou- 
sand bubbles of joy ! 

With this colored woman alone, he wan- 
dered, as he supposes, some two or three 
months. They had travelled together 
through sunshine and storm many a weary 
hour. At length, towards the close of a 
certain day, when the child of this history 
was much fatigued, she left the road, and 
directed her course across lots to a red house 
that stood in the edge of a wood lot. There 
Abraham met for the first time, an Indian 
whom she called her husband, a stout, rough 
looking colored man, of whom he was much 
afraid. Wretched, indeed, was the condi- 
tion of this innocent child of probably not 
more than five or six years of age. He had 
no kind father or mother near, to love, pity 
and take care of him ; no brothers and sis- 
ters dear, with whom to play, and be happy. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 27 

Let children who have pleasant homes, and 
affectionate parents, and all the comforts of 
life, think of Abraham Vest in his new and 
strange dwelling place for a season, with no 
other hearts to sympathize with him, and 
hands to relieve his wants, than those of 
two ignorant, drinking, quarrelsome In- 
dians, who had no special love or interest 
for the pale-faced boy. 



28 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 



CHAPTER II. 

WANDERINGS WITH INDIANS — ESCAPE FROM THEM. 

" Dark is the tale, and strangely sad, which here 
Is woven from some memories deeply stored, 
That should not voiceless die." 

In the last chapter, we left Abraham just 
after we had met an Indian, who went by 
the name of Purchase, and who travelled 
with the colored woman as her husband. 
One trouble, that now commenced, and they 
came thick and fast, was, the stern com- 
mand that he should call them father and 
mother. This he disliked very much to do. 
He knew that they were not his parents. 
Still, if he neglected to obey in this particu- 
lar, he was sure to be punished, a thing 
which came to be quite as much disrelished 
as saying pa and ma to those for whose 
kinship he had no liking. These endearing 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 29 

terms of respect and affection, are sometimes 
used in addressing those who do not sustain 
the relation thus indicated. But it is hard 
for a child to be compelled to address, in 
this manner, persons of another color, for 
whom he has an aversion. The Indians, 
to whom he was now subject, were intem- 
perate, vicious, quarrelsome, and of roaming 
habits. They strolled about the country. 
Sometimes they engaged in hunting and 
fishing — in attempts to obtain their living ' 
from the forest or from the brook, 

" Though for great pains, 
They got small gains ;" 

yet it served them for amusement, as much 
as sporting and angling do the more refined 
and elevated. 

In their travels, they frequently employed 
Abraham to beg for them from house to 
house. He generally was successful in ob- 
taining something — cold victuals or old 
2* 



30 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

clothes — things to be first sought, though 
hard cider and strong tobacco were more 
ardently desired, and were generally pro- 
cured in some way. They chewed tobacco, 
as well as smoked it, a thing which no brute 
cares to do, save a kind of goat of no cleanly 
habits. 

' ' Now man should use some little sense 
And with this noxious weed dispense." 

If Abraham did not succeed so well in 
begging as they thought he might, or if he 
displeased them in any thing, he was about 
sure to be felled by a blow, or to be severely 
whipped. They sometimes spent days in 
pursuit of blood-suckers, to sell to some 
apothecary for money. They loved money 
as well as others, and for similar reasons 
that many love it. because it enabled them 
to gratify self in some of its wicked propen- 
sities. It is such a u love of money" that 
is " the root of all evil." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 31 

In these excursions, Abraham found hard 
times. For hours, while they tvere resting 
on the shore, would they keep him loading 
in ivater, gathering the treasure so precious 
to them, on account of what they expected 
to secure with it. But for the same cause, 
exceedingly undesirable and unlovely to 
him, as the results experienced were worse 
after the apothecary had bottled the caught, 
than when they fastened on his flesh, and 
drew out his blood. 

These Indians sometimes made baskets, 
and sold them as they found opportunity ; 
and had they abided by this business, and 
been industrious in it, they might have ob- 
tained an honest and comfortable living. 
But like thousands of others, they were 
fixed in nothing but in their habits of vice. 
They loved variety, and sought company 
and change. They mingled in the worst of 
society. The consequences to Abraham 
were exceedingly unpleasant and alarming. 



32 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

In their drunken frolicks, his only safety, in 
order to avoid beating, or death, was, to 
hide away somewhere, so as not to be found 
until the evil spirits were dispossessed, which 
had caused such cutting and mangling of 
immortal beings. That seemed to his 
youthful mind strange business to be desired, 
which produced such wounds, and bruises, 
and sufferings. But they seemed to like it ; 
at least, seemed disposed to repeat in some 
hovel or drunkery, scenes that could be 
scarcely rivalled in Pandemonium itself. 

They were occasionally in their travels 
very unkind to each other, especially when 
under the influence of strong drink. Some- 
times Abraham was compelled to witness 
with alarm, the Indian cruelly abusing his 
pretended wife. At other times he would 
endeavor to excite their fears, by conveying 
the impression that he was about to kill 
himself. These Indians often sought enjoy- 
ment in vexing and tormenting each other. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 33 

Such things appear wicked and ugly even 
when seen in savages. But it is to be feared 
that others than colored vagrants take pleas- 
ure sometimes in producing unhappiness in 
human bosoms and homes, where they 
should study to impart the blessings of peace 
and joy. If there must be contention, let it 
not be in families, among associates, nor in 
civilized society. Civilized ! May heaven 
stay the strifes of men, and make the dwel- 
lings of all, the abodes of love and friend- 
ship. Let zealous efforts be made for such 
a result — to bring on earth the peace, the 
bliss of heaven, 

" A pleasant smile for every face, — 

0, 'tis a blessed thing ! 
It will the lines of care erase, 

And spots of beauty bring." 

After a certain season of angry strife be- 
tween these vagabonds, they separated for 
a time, as they had previously done. Abra- 



34 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

ham chose to go with the man. The In- 
dian was fretful and morose; and at length, 
after they had been in company two or three 
days, he bent his course towards a dismal 
swamp, and encouraged the child to pene- 
trate with him far into the thicket. They 
reached a secluded place. Then came a 
moment of great peril to the subject of this 
history. He was told that he was taken there 
to be killed. The club was actually seized 
to put him out of the way, as one of whom 
his pretended father said he was sick, and 
would be rid of. But the heart of the sav- 
age, as he gazed for a moment upon the face 
of the terrified child, and saw the fast flow- 
ing tear and the deep distress, was softened. 
God held back the murderous arm. The 
club fell down. The cruel one also wept. 
Their tears mingled together. 

During that season of great alarm and de- 
liverance, Abraham had it deeply impressed 
on his mind that there was a higher power 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 35 

present. He never had had such an impres- 
sion before. He felt, he said, that " some- 
thing above man was there, and saved him." 
God witnessed the scene, and rescued him 
from death, and fixed in the child's heart 
an idea of his own existence and greatness. 
These Indians were not always cross and 
cruel. They were occasionally very kind 
and affectionate towards each other, and 
sometimes manifested in their way conside- 
rable interest for the welfare of Abraham. 
At one time, when they were passing to- 
gether a guide-board, on which was written 
Cumberland, the Indian, who seemed just 
then, to be anxious that the boy might 
" know something," told him to look up and 
repeat after himself the letters on the board. 
This Abraham did, without knowing what 
or where the letters were, until he could 
spell Cumberland. A short period after- 
wards, he was required to spell the Word 
again. But he had forgotten how to do it ; 



36 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

consequently, the Indian whipped him to 
drive out his dullness, and soon after, suc- 
ceeded in learning the child to spell it again. 
After several times of forgetting and trying, 
whipping and learning to spell it, the word 
was so effectually beaten into him, as never 
to be forgotten, though without awakening 
in his bosom much pride for the acquisition, 
or causing him to see in it very great ad- 
vantage. This was all the schooling he re- 
ceived during his wanderings with the col- 
ored vagrants. He could spell Cumberland, 
and that was something. 

At length, after having travelled much — - 
after having visited several cities, and spent 
perhaps four or five years with these vaga- 
bonds, and been urged by others repeatedly 
to leave them, he escaped from their power. 
His escape was in the City of Providence, 
and in this way. His keepers got drunk in 
a den of iniquity, and fought, and excited 
his fears. He hurried to get out of the 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 37 

place. The woman menacing him with her 
fist, bade him stop. He hesitated a little, 
but as he looked, he saw her strike with a 
knife at the throat of the man with frightful 
effect, at which, still more alarmed, he fled 
and left them forever. He was seen fleeing, 
by some young men of the baser sort, who 
knew of the quarrel. They pointed him to 
a dwelling where they assured him of safe* 
ty, and of being provided for. He went as 
directed — met strangers— and sought of them 
protection and a home. 

We have seen that he found trouble 
and sorrow while with the Indians, — that 
he suffered much from beatings, hunger 
and cold, and in various ways. He spent 
with them at times, chilly, and even freez- 
ing nights out of doors. But he has now 
changed keepers. Will it be for better or 
worse? Children who have good homes 
and kind parents, should be thankful and 
obedient ; and should pity the homeless and 
3 



38 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

orphan, and aid to increase the interest that 
is beginning to be excited in behalf of the 
buds of innocence that are putting forth in 
various places, uncared for, and uncultiva- 
ted, and exposed to the rough winds of 
heaven. 

" Oh, scan not too closely the frailties of those, 
Whose bosoms may bleed on a cold winter's day, 
But give to the friendless, who tells thee his woes, 
And from heart stricken orphans, oh, turn not away." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 39 



CHAPTER III. 

CIRCUMSTANCES AND SUFFERINGS AT PROVIDENCE 
AND SMITHFIELD. 

Said one — " Why art thou standing there? 

Off to thy home, begone ! " 
The child replied, " Alas, for me, 

Home— I on earth have none." 

The house where he now was, is described 
by Solomon " as the way to hell, going 
down to the chambers of death, where many 
have been cast down wounded, where strong 
men have been slain." Prov. 7 : 26, 27. 

In such a place, no child could be expect- 
ed to receive much sympathy, attention and 
benefit, and especially not this ragged, run- 
away stranger. But he was allowed to stay 
there, and was effectually concealed from 
the Indian, who lurked awhile around the 
house, looking and inquiring for the white 
child that had gone off. 



40 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

He was employed in that abode as an er- 
rand-boy, and lived greatly neglected and 
abused. There was one, however, of that 
company of reckless beings, whose heart 
was touched with compassion for the child. 
It was one, perhaps, who had felt more than 
any other there, the need of kindness and 
sympathy herself. One of no beautiful 
snowy white countenance, but of a dark 
hue, and of worse features, perhaps, but of 
a better heart than her associates in crime. 
It is not wise to form an opinion of others 
from outward appearances. God looketh 
at the heart, and we may look at the actions 
which the heart produces, and thus judge 
of its character. This person of African 
blood had a heart to pity the peril and suf- 
ferings of innocence. She was human, and 
belonged to an affectionate race — a race 
whose down-trodden condition demands the 
efforts and prayers of all the friends of God 
and humanity. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 41 

A certain Sabbath came — a day marked 
in Abraham's history, 

11 The Sabbath, sacred day, 
The best of all the seven," 

whose hallowed influences are doing much 
to renovate and ransom this sinful, polluted 
world — a day, when from thousands of altars 
passes heavenward the incense of prayer, 
which is offered upon the golden altar 
before the throne, by the Angel of the Cove- 
nant. Hearts of devotion draw down upon 
earth heaven's blessings. Even where the 
sacredness of the Sabbath is despised, its in- 
fluence is felt, and good is accomplished. 
On that Sabbath, some devout worshipper, 
perhaps, was led by the Spirit, earnestly to 
pray for just such a friendless, peril-exposed 
child as Abraham ; and a heart hardened 
with guilt is affected. Abraham's condition 
and danger are contemplated, and his escape 
planned. 

3* 



ABRAHAM VEST, OR 



On that day of God's appointment for rest 
and devotion, the negro woman took the 
child's hand in hers, and talked with him 
most kindly and tenderly. She told him he 
would be ruined, if he staid in that abode of 
iniquity; that he should seek some other 
home ; that she would befriend him, and aid 
him away, But where could he go ? He 
had in company with the vagrants visited 
several times a family in Smithfield, R. I. 
He was advised to go there. Abraham was 
much affected. Though a child, the im- 
pression again came over his soul, that some 
other power than human was present, and 
had concern with this interview. Through 
the night, angels seemed whispering in his 
ear, " away !" " away !" and he impatiently 
waited for the early dawn, the time they 
had agreed upon to depart. At length 
it came, and they silently stole off unob- 
served, and soon were out of the city. They 
travelled onward, together, until the house 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 43 

of God in Smithfield appeared in sight, and 
then 'she left little Abraham to find the fam- 
ily that lived somewhere in that region, 
whose name he remembered, and of whom 
he had talked as being acquainted. When 
she left him, she gave him the best advice 
she had. Each heart felt at parting. She 
had done an act of disinterested kindness — 
had travelled miles on foot for his special 
benefit. Perhaps the Father of Mercies af- 
terwards led her in the path of penitence, 
peace and heaven. 

He was now alone — all alone. What 
will he do ? He calls at a house — is met 
with cross looks, and words, and ordered 
home. Poor child ! he had no home. How 
much he needed a parent's love and care ! 
He slept that night in a barn. The next 
day he sought again the family to which al- 
lusion has been made. And after wander- 
ing about for some time, and inquiring, he 
found the object of his search. But that 



44 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

family did not want him. He staid there 
by sufferance. He was made the slave of 
all. He had beatings often, and nakedness, 
and cold, and cross words enough. But he 
suffered most from hunger. They were 
poor, and chose not to bestow much upon 
him. He was always, while there, " half- 
starved,' 7 and could with a good relish, eat 
almost any thing that came in his way, in 
the shape of food. Many a time he would 
gladly have done what the prodigal once de- 
sired to do, but " no man gave unto him." 

Rum ruled in that house, and produced 
much quarrelling, abuse and wretchedness. 
It made Abraham miserable, and eventually 
drove him off. Well may every child, 

" pledge perpetual hate, 

To all that can into&cate," 

since so much suffering has been' experienced 
in childhood, and so many have been ruined 
by the poisoned cup, 



46 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

Abraham left Smithfield in a sorry plight, 
and directed his course to Woonsocket. On 
his way. he felt much dejected. Where 
should he now find a home? Would the 

widow C take him in ? — the woman on 

whom he had called two or three times on 

errands, while living at S . Verily, the 

pleasantness of excursions depend somewhat 
on circumstances. Could he have been sure 
of a home, and of kind greetings at W., his 
heart would have been buoyant, and his 
steps light and^rapid. But he never jour- 
neyed in childhood and youth., as many 
youthful readers sometimes do, anticipating 
smiling countenances, and good times in 
visiting friends — or in going home. Be 
thankful for blessings enjoyed, and in pros- 
pect. 

" What do we reck on a dreary way, 

Though lonely and benighted, 
If we know of lips to chide our delay, 

And eyes that will beam love-lighted ? 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 47 

What is the worth of the diamond's ray, 
To the glance that flashes pleasure, 

When the words that welcome us, betray, 
We form in hearts a treasure 1 

Oh, joyfully dear is our homeward track, 
If we are but sure of a welcome back ! " 



48 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 



CHAPTER IV. 

RECEPTION AT WOONSOCKET — HOMELESSNESS — EN- 
GAGEMENT IN A FACTORY — GOES OFF — OCCURRENCES 
IN MENDON. 

" A meagre form arrayed in rags, 

Before the threshold stood ; 
A half-starved child had wandered there 

To beg a little food.' 5 

Abraham reached Woonsocket towards 
night, hungry, and with tattered garments, 
and soon after entered the dwelling of the 
only one with whom he had become ac- 
quainted. The widow C— did not frown 
upon him. She gave him something to eat, 
and allowed him to remain for a short sea- 
son. But she had nothing for him to do, 
and felt too needy herself to bear the burden 
of his support. In Woonsocket he lived 
several months without any home. He 
found associates and friends among the fac- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 49 

tory and street children. He sometimes 
obtained a night's lodging among some of 
his associates ; at other times he would find 
his sleeping place in some barn, or shed, or 
loft, or where he could. The day-time he 
spent in play, or as he chose. He obtained 
his living through the children, with whom 
he became acquainted, who would at times 
ask Abraham if he were not hungry ; and 
would, if requested, generally bring him 
some good things to eat in the street, or lane, 
or bye-place. They would sometimes beg 
him a seat at the table with them, and then 
his heart would ^ leap with joy at the pros- 
pect of having a full meal at once. Smiles 
he frequently received, 

" His sorrowing breast to cheer." 

Some of his associates pitied him much, and 

were very kind to him, and wanted he 

should be comfortably clothed as well as 

fed. They helped him also in this particu- 
4 



50 ABRAHAM VEST, OK ? 

lar. But his dress was odd enough, being 
any fit, and no fit, and ill-assorted. Still it 
was better than no dress. 

Truly, Abraham at Woonsocket was for 
a while a boy at leisure, and like gentlemen 
at leisure of modern times, found his situa- 
tion not always a comfortable one. This 
was specially true when at a certain time 
he needed the attention of a physician. His 
situation, however, becoming known, such 
attention was procured for him by some 
kind hearted mother. The prescriptions 
being followed, resulted favorably. And 
soon after, with body and clothing tho- 
roughly cleansed, he went forth into, the 
street again, much improved in several re- 
spects. But he was now sick of street life, 
and of homeless independence. He there- 
fore concluded to give up such a life for one 
of labor and respectability, as he had been 
advised to do ; and for this purpose he went 
to a factory establishment in W., and in- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 51 

quired for the agent, who soon appeared, 
and after some conversation took him in, 
and set him to tending breakers. He now- 
ceased to be the useless idler, and became 
an active laborer, much to his own advan- 
tage. His dress in his new situation was 
blue cotton pants, thin dark spencer, and a 
head covering made out of an old hat. He 
spent here about two months, usefully em- 
ployed, and would probably have received 
good compensation and fared well, had he 
stayed. But he grew tired of factory life, 
and ran off. Nor is it to be much wonder- 
ed at, that a child of his years and habits 
should ,dislike the close confinement and 
constant attention that labor-saving ma- 
chinery requires. Other children have dis- 
liked it, and have even acted more unwisely 
than Abraham did, when he ran away from 
good keeping and reputable work. 

With nothing in his hand, and not much 
on his back, he hurried on towards Men- 



52 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

don, passed through the centre of the town, 
stopped at a house and inquired for Al- 
bany, where he intended to go when he 
left Woonsocket. The lady of the house 
received him kindly, questioned him close- 
ly, gave him something to eat, and advised 
him to retrace his steps a mile or so to the tav- 
ern which he had passed, kept by Mr. G., and 
there engage himself as a chore boy. He did 
as he was advised, though somewhat disin- 
clined. At the tavern, he told the keeper 
that he came as desired by a neighbor of his, 
some distance back. Mr. G. was reluctant 
to receive him until that woman, with great 
kindness, made her appearance and open- 
ed the way for Abraham to obtain a com- 
fortable home. 

" There is a golden chord 

Fixed in the heart of every human soul, 

Which oft when by the breath of kindness swept, 

Wakes angel melodies. " 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 53 

He tarried in Mendon nearly a year. 
And for the first time in his recollection 
he here entered the house of worship. Cu- 
rious feelings came over him as he took his 
seat in the family pew, looked to the man 
in the pulpit, and heard the singing, the 
prayers and preaching. Every thing was 
strange. He felt odd. All eyes seemed turn- 
ed toward him. In Mendon he frequently 
attended religious worship, and better influ- 
ences were exerted upon hirn than formerly. 

But here the stream of his life was some- 
times ruffled. He was living at a rum tav- 
ern, a place where many a child had been 
educated and prepared for a drunkard's 
grave. And one occurrence connected with 
rum seemed peculiarly unhappy for him. 
The stable keeper desired a jug full of the 
contents of a certain barrel. He made a 
confidant of Abraham, through whom he 
sought to obtain the object of his wishes. 
Abraham was informed of a contemplated 
4* 



54 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

fishing excursion, and was assured that fire 
inside would be necessary to keep off the cold 
outside. He was instructed how to pro- 
ceed to secure it, and promised, as a reward, 
that he should be one of the party, and en- 
joy his share of the good time they would 
have in catching fish together. Well pleas- 
ed with the idea, he filled the jug and hid it 
in the wood pile, according to instructions — 
to be taken with them on their evening ex- 
cursion. But somehow, like all the sinful 
doings of secrecy and darkness, it would 
not stay hid. Most unfortunately for their 
enjoyment, Mr. G., it would seem, must go 
to the woodpile, to the very place where the 
precious treasure was so nicely concealed ; 
and there in gathering up a handful of 
wood, he came right upon it. He was amaz- 
ed at the sight. He stood a moment, poked 
it over, pulled it up, uncorked it, smelt of it, 
tasted it, and sure enough it was fresh and 
good, in fine order for use. But how came it 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 55 

there ? Abraham was sought, and the inqui- 
ry made, "Who put this jug in the wood 
pile ?" " Abraham, don't lie — tell what you 
know about it." It was now all out. Just as 
all wickedness will come out; "for there is 
nothing covered that shall not be revealed, 
neither hid that shall not be known." There 
was no more dreaming that day about a 
merry time catching fish at night. Abra- 
ham owned all — told everything he knew 
in regard to it. In this respect he did right 
— it was noble in him to do it — for it he de- 
served to be commended. We all know 
what has been true of one boy who could 
not tell a lie. God honored him. That act 
has been much applauded, and his name 
immortalized by his deeds of virtue and pat- 
riotism. 

Abraham, from the moment of this discov- 
ery of wrong doing, became a suspectecki 
child, and found his home in Mendori less • 
comfortable, and in consequence, left there 



56 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

after a little while for another dwelling 
place. The instigator of the crime abused 
him much for his honesty, though he knew 
better than to advise to wrong conduct, and 
ought to have borne the chief blame of the 
affair himself. Abraham stayed in Mendon 
a year, as it is supposed, when he prevailed 
on Mr. C, a stage driver, to take him, with 
the consent of Mr. G. to New England Vil- 
lage, in Grafton, Mass., where he had been 
encouraged to hope that he might obtain 
work in a linen factory. This was his sec- 
ond ride in a stage coach. His first ride 
was evidently from some place where he 
should have found a home and kind care 
and instruction. His second ride was to 
the place of his present residence. Surely, 



* 



" God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 57 



CHAPTER V. 

ARRIVAL AT NEW ENGLAND VILLAGE — EMPLOYMENT 

SCHOOLING MARRIAGE. 

" Rouse thee, child of sorrow, 

Lay thy sadness by ; 
Look ! a brighter morrow 

Dawneth in the sky." 

On Abraham's arrival at New England 
Village, he found himself again among 
strangers. He tarried awhile at the tavern 
where the stage left him. He appeared 
timid and bashful. On one occasion the 

little sons of Mrs. V- s met him, and soon 

after ran home and told their mother that a 
" beggar boy" had come to town, and desir 
ed that he might have a place at the table 
with them for one meal at least. Thei; 
kind intentions were encouraged. Afte 
much persuading they got him in, and grat 

f 



r- 

le 

er 



58 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

ified the benevolence of their hearts. Here 
was an exhibition of a lovely spirit. Such 
a spirit of kindness towards the poor, will 
not go unrewarded. 

" Give and do good — be kind to all — 

The humble and the poor ; 
True blessings on your head shall fall, 

Which kindness can secure." 

After a short season he obtained employ- 
ment in the linen factory to which allusion 
has been made, and was taken to a board- 
ing house. But the tenant was under the 
necessity of going out and persuading, and 
conducting him to a place at the table in 
his new home. Up to this time he had not 
attended school a single day, though he had 
reached his teens, a period when many a 
^ child is considerably advanced in his school- 
ing. During his employment in the factory, 
• he was permitted to go to an evening school 
for a short season. But to a child almost 

t 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 59 

entirely unlearned, like him, (though he 
could still spell " Cumberland,") and tired 
out with the day's occupation, such an op- 
portunity could not be expected to be of 
much advantage. 

At the end of about two years, the busi- 
ness at the linen factory stopped, and he 
was again afloat on 

11 Life's troublous ocean.' 9 

He was, however, kindly permitted to have 
a home where he had boarded. He now 
learned the shoemaker's trade, and managed 
to support himself comfortably. Not far 
from this time, he made another attempt to 
be profited by attending school. It was the 
winter's school of the district. Our common 
schools are of great advantage to the rising 
generation. Here oftentimes the foundatio; 
is laid for future usefulnesjftnd eminence, 
The promising indications sometimes exhib- 
ited by learners in the district school, have 




"ol 



60 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

been improved upon with the happiest re- 
sults. Like all other temporal blessings, 
however, those of the common school may be 
perverted or lost. It was unfortunate for 
Abraham, that the pupils, soon after the 
school commenced, manifested a spirit of 
mischief and rebellion, and so far did they 
succeed in their course of disobedience and 
wickedness that the master left, and the 
winter's opportunity for learning was nearly 
lost to the children of the district. Such 
occurrences are very lamentable — are of no 
credit or advantage to any one, but are se- 
riously injurious to all concerned. The 
unruly scholar gives intimation that he has 
not been well managed at home — that his 
lawful controllers have not controlled him — 
have not judiciously followed the advice of 
Solomon, who wrote for our profit as taught 
of God. Pro*13: 24, 19: 18, 22: 15. 

" Solomon speaks — his words are mild, 
Spare the rod and spoil the child." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 61 

They have spared the rod, perhaps, when 
its use may have been required to secure 
obedience, and the best good of those en- 
trusted to their care. No district should, for 
its own credit and benefit, allow the schol- 
ars to drive off the teacher. " Order is 
heaven's first law," and every school master 
should know it, and should be made to feel 
that he must maintain order, and will be 
sustained in doing it. Abraham made other 
laudable attempts to be profited by attending 
school, and has picked up some learning. 
But the disadvantages which he experienced 
from early neglect in regard to education, 
contrast strikingly with the great advan- 
tages which thousands enjoy, and which 
they should well improve, and for which 
they should be very thankful to the grea 
Teacher and Benefactor. 

Abraham, though for years constantly 
exposed to the worst of influences, contract- 
ed few, if any, of the many vicious habits 

5 



62 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

by which he was surrounded. He was 
looked upon as a kind-he'arted, good boy, 
and was sometimes called " Abraham the 
best/' or " the best boy." Hence his name 
came to be written sometimes Abraham 
Best, on the debtor and credit records. That 
did not strike him as exactly right. But he 
must have some sirname, and as the change 
of sound from Best to Vest was slight, he 
began to call himself, when asked his name, 
Abraham Vest, and this soon became the 
name by which he was known. 

The good boy still felt disposed to keep 
on doing well, and so took him a wife, some 
ten years ago, a Lamb nourished near by, 

" And like a lamb from fountain clear, 
She to his fold confiding turned, 
And round his sweet domestic bower 
The w T reaths of changeless love entwined." 

He was happen his choice, and secured in 
the event, some dear interested relatives, and 
an abiding home. He commenced house- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 63 

keeping in Boylston, a town that now ap- 
pears to him as having something of ro- 
mance belonging to it, on account of a recent 
discovery connected with his history. 

Mr. Vest and his companion have been 
blessed with two interesting children, a son 
and a daughter, and with industry and 
economy, have managed to live comfortably 
and respectably. 

It is now about twenty years since he 
first made his appearance in New England 
Village. He was then homeless, friendless, 
the " beggar boy," half clothed. Now he is 
the head of a family, has a home and kind 
friends, and above all, has a name and a 
place in the church of God, and has the 
prospect of ultimately entering upon an in- 
heritance incorruptible, and of receiving an 
immortal crown ; 

" That prize with peerless glories bright, 
Which shall new lustre boast, 
When victor's wreaths and monarch's gems 
Shall blend in common dust." 



64 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 



CHAPTER VI. 

EMBARRASSMENTS — THE REVIVAL CONVERSION 

BAPTISM. 

" Faith, kindly bridging the river of life, 

Points to the treasures which heaven reveals ; 

Hence, though the waters below are in strife, 
Peace like a river the lowly one feels." 

At the close of the last chapter the fact is 
mentioned that Mr. Vest had become inter- 
ested in that covenant which is well ordered 
in all things and sure : and had prospects of 
the most cheering kind. Indeed, he appears 
thus far to have been remarkably the child 
of Providence. God had watched over him, 
had kept him alive, and had at several 
I times impressed on his mind ideas of the 
Divine presence, power and kindness. He 
led him in a way that he knew not, and 
brought him at length to rejoice in the hope 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 65 

of heaven. The religious history of a man 
is the most important part of his history. 
This indicates his usefulness and happiness 
on earth, and his portion in eternity. 

11 Religion is the chief concern 
Of mortals here below." 

Mr. Vest was fortunate in forming a spe- 
cial acquaintance in a family where piety 
had a place in the bosom of at least, one of 
its inmates. Mrs. Lamb, the mother of his 
wife, used occasionally to address him on 
the subject of religion. These hints and 
remarks had an effect, and produced serious 
impressions. In the night watches, some- 
times, thoughts of sin, of God, and eternity, 
would steal upon his mind and disturb his 
sleep. He wished he were a Christian pil- 
grim, but could not see the way, nor find it 
in his heart, to " strive to enter in at the 
strait gate." 

5* 



66 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

When the revival of religion commenced 
in New England Village, in 1842, during 
which about 140 united with the Baptist 
church there, Mr. Vest was living some dis- 
tance from that place, but he felt its influ- 
ence, and was drawn to the meeting in the 
village. On one Sabbath he was present 
when some thirty persons made a public 
profession of religion. It was a Sabbath of 
rare interest with the people. His heart 
was tenderly and powerfully touched, as he 
gazed upon the scene of solemn covenant 
with God, of strong faith in the resurrec- 
tion, and of holy separation from the world. 
Tears streamed down his cheeks, and firm 
resolves were made. The Sabbath services 
closed ; all having been deeply interesting, 
and having produced powerful impressions 
on his mind. He returned home anxious to 
obtain a preparation for heaven. 

About this time, he experienced trying 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 67 

embarrassments in his pecuniary affairs, in 
consequence of the numerous failures that 
had lately occurred in different parts of the 
country. His resources were now all gone, 
and he had not much capital in the way of 
credit, not enough to pass current for a few 
pounds of flour. He left that store with a 
sad heart. He was now several miles from 
New England Village. There he might be 
more successful in obtaining what he need- 
ed, and there too, many had recently secur- 
ed a treasure in heaven. He thought of 
that treasure, of its immense value. Could 
he not obtain it 1 He had heard that it was 
not necessary to buy it — that it was bestow- 
ed without money and without price. With 
such meditations he hastened to. the village, 
weeping as he went, thinking at times of 
his friendless condition and unpleasant cir- 
cumstances, having no parents or relatives 
that he knew of, only those by marriage, 



68 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

and apparently cut off, or nearly so, from 
the sympathies of man. 

" When nought but gloom and doubt we see, 

How fitting then • — — 

To turn our ardent gaze on high." 

Under such circumstances, how forcibly 
the inquiry came over his mind, Can I not 
have God for my Father, and have friends 
and treasures in heaven ? But who cared for 
his soul? He had sometime previously 
put himself in the way of a minister of the 
Gospel for the purpose of being conversed 
with on the subject of religion ; but nothing 
was then said to him on that subject. A 
knowledge of^uch facts should excite all 
Zion's watchmen to " be instant" when 
apparently it is " out of season," as appear- 
ance and fact may be opposite. 

He entered the house of God. It was full of 
attentive worshippers. All seemed engaged 
and deeply interested. It was a conference 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 69 

meeting — many exhortations and prayers 
were offered. At length a moment's pause 
came. As if under a divine impulse, Mr. Vest 
was at once on his feet. He seemed much 
affected — all eyes were turned upon him as a 
stranger to most of the people of God then 
assembled. He said that he had been a 
wanderer in the world, his condition during 
the earliest years of his life had been friend- 
less and homeless, that he had not the 
slightest recollection of his parents, or where 
he was born, or of his true name and age, 
or whether he had a relative on earth, (save 
those by marriage,) and that he had come 
several miles to seek the salvation of his 
soul, and desired that prayers might be of- 
fered in his behalf. His appearance and 
remarks excited much interest, and called 
forth earnest supplications that the Lord 
would make him a trophy of his victorious 
grace. At the close of the meeting, warm 
hearts surrounded him, and he found such 



70 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

sympathy awakened for him as he had 
never witnessed before. Homes he now 
had in abundance. He remained with his 
new friends a short season, during which 
time he was led to rejoice in that God who 
is rich in mercy. 

" Behind a frowning Providence 
He hides a smiling face." 

Mr. Vest, with money in his purse, with 
his hands full of good things for his family, 
and his heart full of love to God, returned 
home, and met his companion as he never 
had met her before. A most cheering inter- 
view followed. The little ones even were 
merry — all were joyous. Soon he was again 
on his way to /the village, praying as he 
went that the sharer of his temporal sor- 
rows and joys, at this time accompanying 
him, might become the partaker of such 
happiness as he now experienced, and that 
God who is good to all, soon gave him the 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 71 

desire of his heart, and they were doubly- 
blessed. Yea, her father and other mem- 
bers of his family became also interested in 
the Saviour's love. This was a new era 
to these kindred. Angels rejoiced over 
the change as they were united to Christ in 
bonds of everlasting love, and received the 
promise of God that all things should work 
together for their good, and became the 
expectants of an everlasting kingdom and 
crown of glory. 

" Not one from Heaven's love too much can hope, 
If what he hopes he labors to secure." 

A few weeks subsequent to the reception 
of these great blessings, Mr. Vest and his 
wife united with the Baptist church in New 
England Village, in connection with several 
others. The scene was one upon which 
the heavenly host might have gazed with 
joyous emotions, as exhibiting the power 
and love of Christ, and one upon which 



72 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

men looked with tearful eyes, subdued feel- 
ings and rejoicing hearts. 

" Jesus thou friend divine, 

Our Saviour and our King, 

Thy hand from every snare and foe 

Shall great deliverance bring. 

Sure as thy truth shall last 

To Zion shall be given 

The brightest glories earth can yield, 

And brighter bliss of heaven." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 73 



CHAPTER VII. 

INTEREST IN HIS EARLY HISTORY NARRATIVE COR- 
RESPONDENCE — DISCOVERY. 

" Night is passing over, 

Vanishing away ; 
Rouse thee to discover 

Signs of coming day." 

We have now reached a point in Mr. 
Vest's history which seems to be near its 
end. Indeed, the preceding account was all 
the history of his life, or nearly all of inter- 
est that was known till recently, by him 
or any other person with whom he was 
acquainted. He had never experienced, 
within his remembrance, the feelings of a 
child towards a parent, or of a brother to- 
wards a brother or sister. Years had been 
spent in ignorance that he had a single rela- 
tive on earth. 

6 



74 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

There was a mystery hanging over his 
early childhood which was painful to con- 
template, and which could not in the least 
be penetrated. Sometimes it was a subject 
of conversation among his acquaintances. 
Occasionally, considerable excitement was 
produced in regard to it. This was special- 
ly true at one time, when an advertisement 
appeared in some paper for a lost boy, in 
which it was stated that could that child be 
found, it would be much to his advantage. 
From some statements in that advertise- 
ment, it was supposed that Abraham might 
be the lost child. It was said repeatedly 
that something ought to be done to obtain a 
knowledge of his kindred. But nothing 
was done. A while afterwards an interest 
was again excited to find out something 
relative to his early childhood. An attempt 
was made to do it. A sketch of incidents 
and facts connected with Abraham's history 
and person was written, and information 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 75 

solicited. That sketch was sent to an edi- 
tor of a paper in Worcester, but it never 
made its appearance. 

At length, a minister of the Gospel, being 
detained a few days by the Providence of 
God in New England Village, learned with 
much interest some of the singular events 
in Mr. Vest's life, and said, as others had 
often remarked before, that an account of 
such incidents should be made publjc, that 
it would be interesting, and might bring 
to light something of importance. A few 
months subsequent, several facts in his life 
were obtained and published, in a narrative 
form, in the Christian Watchman of Febru- 
ary 12, 1847, under the head of c; The cast- 
otf, or stolen boy." 

The editor prefaced the account as fol- 
lows : 

" The following strange and deeply af- 
fecting narrative was drawn up by a gentle- 
man who is well acquainted with the facts. 



76 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

and has had many private conversations 
with the individual whose singular history 
cannot fail to excite the interest of every 
one. It is hoped that the publication of this 
story will lead to some clue by which the 
mystery which hangs around his origin may 
be dispelled. The account may be relied 
on as strictly true." 

Besides several of the things stated in this 
history, the " Narrative" ^published in the 
Christian Watchman contains the following 
extract : 

" If Abraham has a mother living, or any 
friends who took care of him in early child- 
hood, they could easily satisfy themselves 
that he was the child they dressed and nour- 
ished once, as he has a mark on his back of 
a milk white color, which must have been 
there at a very early period of his infancy, 
if not (as is most probable) always; and 
must have been noticed by persons who had 
the care of him in the days of his helpless- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 77 

ftess. He has also a large scar on his left 
foot, probably produced by a scald or burn, 
of the cause of which he has not the slight- 
est recollection. Yes, he could be identified 
by any individuals who knew him in his 
earliest years, and who should care to find 
him. Cut off as he now is from all know- 
ledge of his parents or kinsfolk, it would 
afford him gratification, if not advantage, 
could some of them be brought to light." 

The narrative was extensively copied, 
and as a result, the Postmaster in New 
England Village received the following let- 
ter, dated 

Post Office, Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y. 

April 12, 1847. 

Esquire Pratt, 

m 
Dear Sir, 

A narrative of the u Cast-off, or stolen 

boy," copied into the "Morning Star" from 

the Watchman published at Boston, reached 

this place and was read by a Mr. and Mrs. 

6* 



78 ABRAHAM VEST, OR 



Wilson in this vicinity, who believe that 
the person mentioned is no other than their 
son. At the request of Mrs. Wilson, I ad- 
dress you this line to learn if what is stated 
in that account can be relied upon. If the 
child referred to is the son of Mrs. Wilson, 
his true name is John Negus Wilson, called 
in part after his mother's maiden name, 
which was Lydia Negus, and was born in 
Dummerston, Vt, in 1813. When the boy 
was about three and?a half years old, the 
mother took him and the daughter, named 
Catharine, and went to visit a sister of hers 
at Troy, N. Y., by the name of Winchester. 
After staying there about four or five months, 
she returned to Vermont, taking the girl 
with her, but leaving the boy behind, in the 
care of her sister, at Troy ; and she says 
she has not for years heard from him. 
The child referred to in the " Narrative," 
as the early playmate of whom Mr. Vest 
now thinks he has some recollection, by the 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 79 

name of Elleck Sickle, Mrs. W. thinks must 
have been one of his early playmates in 
Troy, by the name of Electa Ingles. The 
marks pointed out in the " Narrative " upon 
Mr. Vest's person, are the same Mrs. W. 
says her lost son had. Mrs. Wilson is per- 
suaded that if she could see Mr. Vest, she 
could make known to him certain things to 
satisfy him that he is her son. Please reply 
to this line as early as possible, as there is 
some interest and excitement felt here. 
Yours, in the cause of humanity, 

G. P. Smith, P. M. 
C. M. Pratt, Esq. 

When the foregoing letter was received at 
N. E. Village, Mr Vest was away on busi- 
ness, and was not expected to return for sev- 
eral days. But God minds the affairs of 
men, and directs the paths of those who ac- 
knowledge him in all their ways. While 
Mrs. Test was at the house of her pastor, 



ABRAHAM VEST, OK 



and was deliberating with him upon what 
was best to be done relative to the commu- 
nication received from Ontario, and just as 
someone present was saying, "how much 
his opinion is needed who is most con- 
cerned ! and I do not see how the letter can 
be answered without consulting him,"— Mr. 
Vest entered the house, and asked what 
had taken place during his absence? and 
remarked, that he had been so strongly im- 
pressed that something had, and that he 
was needed at home, that he had felt con- 
strained to return much sooner than he had 
intended. 

The conclusion of the deliberation then 
held, was, that an answer should be re- 
turned immediately to the above communi- 
cation, an extract from which is here intro- 
duced, dated, 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 81 

Post Office, N. E. Village, Mass., 
April 29th, 1847. 

C. P. Smith, Esq. 

Dear Sir, 

* * * * * You will, 
therefore, so far as it is in your power, an- 
swer the following inquiries. 

1 . What is the complexion of Mr. and 
Mrs. Wilson? Light, dark or sandy? 
Children, you know, generally resemble 
their parents. 

2. What was the form of the white spot 
on the child's back, called John N. Wilson ; 
and where was it ? High, low, or on the 
side? 

3. On what part of the foot was the 
scar? 

State whatever else you may deem neces- 
sary — I write at the request of Mr. Vest. 
Please reply soon, and all inquiries you may 



82 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

hereafter propose, shall receive prompt at- 
tention. Your most obedient, 

C. M. Pratt, P. M. 

A full and satisfactory answer to the let- 
ter containing the above extract, was re- 
ceived, dated, "Post Office, Ontario, N. 
Y., May 1st, 1847," — in which, among oth- 
er facts that have their appropriate places 
in this work, it was stated that "Mr. 
Wilson is of light complexion, * border- 
ing on the sandy, and that the lost son 
in many respects resembled him, when 
a child, and that the spots referred to 
are on the left side, near the back, and that 
the scar is on the left foot at the root of the 
toes, caused by hot ashes." In concluding 
this letter, Mr. Smith remarked, " The ma- 
terial facts in the case have often been told 

* Mr. Vest is of the same complexion. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 83 

by Mr. and Mrs. Wilson for many years, 
and always been believed. Should Mr. 
Vest be satisfied that these people are his 
parents, it would afford them much happi- 
ness to see him. If he has still doubts, per- 
haps a visit out here might remove those 
doubts, as it is the opinion of friends, that 
there are facts and explanations which they 
intend to give to no one else. If Mr. Vest 
will come to this place, he will take the 
canal to Palmyra, twelve miles south of 
here. Come on to my house, and every fa- 
cility will be afforded him by myself and 
neighbors, to ascertain all the facts in the 
case, if any thing more is necessary." 

There is something in the spirit of pains- 
taking, to promote human enjoyment, like 
what is manifested in the foregoing epistle, 
and others from the same hand, which we 
all admire. Verily, to be humane and kind, 
brings happiness to our own bosoms, as well 



84 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

as gains the affections of man, and the ap- 
proval of heaven. 

" Who blesses others in his kindly deeds, 
Will find the healing which his spirit needs ; 
For every flower, in others' pathway strown, 
Will shed its fragrant beauty on our own." 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 85 



CHAPTER VIIL 



JOURNEY TO ONTARIO INTERVIEWS OCCURRENCES 

OF ONE DAY. 



hapless child restored, 



Smiles at his parents' hearth and social board, 
When from the heart the tears of rapture flow, 
And virtue triumphs o'er remembered wo." 

The evidence furnished by the above cor- 
respondence was such as to leave little doubt 
that Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the parents 
of the lost child. It appeared from the last 
letter, from which extracts have been given, 
that Mrs. W. was able to put her finger up- 
on the very marks Mr. Vest bears upon his 
person, to tell their forms, locations, and pro- 
bable causes. It was therefore thought best 
by himself and others, in order to the full 
satisfaction of all interested, that he should 
comply with the generous request presented 
7 



86 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

him in the communication of Mr. Smith. 
Accordingly with many fears, much trem- 
bling, and some reluctance, he started for 
Ontario on the morning of the 19th of May, 
1847. Passing through Albany and Syra- 
cuse, he arrived at Palmyra on Friday 
morning, about 4 o'clock, A. M. 

He was now within about twelve miles 
of the place of his contemplated destination. 
Finding no public conveyance ready to take 
him there, he walked the distance. Such 
a walk he had never taken before. He was 
on his way to visit his supposed parents, of 
whom he had not the slightest recollection. 
He was going home, perhaps, and yet of 
that home he had been but recently inform- 
ed. Thoughts, pleasant and painful, crowd- 
ed upon him as he travelled on. " What if 
they should not be my parents," was an 
idea that would sometimes start up in his 
mind, in a very unpleasant way ; and then 
again the thought wqi}l(} occur, " whsit if it 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 87 

should be clearly evident, that I am their 
son? How will they appear to me, and 
how will things look about the homestead ! " 
Thus meditating, and anxious and weary, 
he entered the village of Ontario, Friday, 
about half past 11 o'clock, A. M. The vil- 
lage had a strange interest to him. There 
lived his parents, probably. But in what 
house do they reside? And where lives 
Mr. Smith ? After an inquiry at a shoe- 
maker's shop, and another at a store, the 
Post Office was found. 

Mr. Smith had just come in from the field, 
and was in an easy attitude, reading a news- 
paper, when Mr. Vest entered his dwelling. 
Mr. V. endeavored at first to appear indif- 
ferent, but soon asked if Mr. Smith was at 
home. "I am the man," was the answer, 
and a careless glance was cast towards the 
stranger. " You have been writing to New 
England Village, a place in Grafton, Mass., 
have you?" " Yes," was the reply, and 



ABRAHAM VEST, OR 



he read on. " You have had something of 
a correspondence with Esquire Pratt, of that 
place, have you ? " " Yes," was the answer 
again, and a somewhat searching look, was 
now given to the inquirer. Mr. Vest then 
made himself known as "the cast-off, or 
stolen boy." At that announcement, the 
paper was at once thrown aside, and Mr. 
Smith, springing upon his feet, seized Mr. 
Vest by the hand, with many expressions of 
joy. His wife, also, in a moment, left all 
her domestic cares, to share with her hus- 
band in the happiness of seeing and welcom- 
ing the "lost child," in whose behalf they 
had recently felt so much interest. In the 
gladness of his heart, Mr. S. exclaimed, " the 
parents must know it," and calling in a 
neighbor, suddenly despatched him, as the 
bearer to them of the cheering intelligence, 
at the same time charging him to keep it all 
to himself, by the way. But it was too good 
intelligence to keep. He must share it with 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 89 

some others, in confidence, and they had their 
special friends and confidants, also, to whom 
they must whisper the strange news ; and 
very soon it was noised all abroad, that Mr. 
Wilson's lost son had come, and was at Mr. 
Smith's. 

When the messenger arrived at Mr. Wil- 
son's, he found only Mrs. W. at home. To 
her he delivered his message with an air of 
composedness. But the sound of son was 
like an arrow to her soul. She fainted. 
When she revived, she proposed meeting 
Mr. V. at Mr. G.'s, a friend of her's, as a 
suitable place, and a kind of half-way 
house from her own habitation to Mr. 
Smith's, where Mr. V. had stopped, and was 
expected to dine. Mrs. Wilson hastily pre- 
paring herself, and adjusting affairs at home, 
started off with the tidings-bearer, to the 
proposed place of meeting — with what feel- 
ings, we may perhaps imagine, but cannot 
7* 



90 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

describe. The expectation had just been 
excited in her bosom, of soon meeting her 
only son, of whom she had not heard for 
many a long year, and whom she had given 
up as lost irrecoverably to his parents. 

Mr. Smith saw her coming, and immedi- 
ately started off to meet her, not knowing 
but she intended to come to his own habita- 
tion. He however soon returned, saying 
that "Mrs. W. has thought it best to meet 
Mr. Vest at Mr. G.'s. We will make pre- 
paration to go up very soon. The place is 
a very proper one, as the house is large, and 
the rooms are so spacious. There will be 
many present, as there is such an excite- 
ment here on what to-day has transpired." 

No one can compass the feelings of Mr. 
Vest during the interval. Time dragged 
heavily. Dinner came and passed, almost 
untouched by him. The filial feelings 
which had long lain dormant in his bosom, 
were beginning to be aroused. Between 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 91 

hope, and fear, and doubts, he could scarce- 
ly be composed, or act himself. " Come," 
said Mr. Smith, "let us be going," and they 
started, and with hastened step soon reached 
the place of meeting. They found the room 
nearly lined around with persons assembled, 
anxious to witness the interview, with every 
thing properly arranged ; and Mrs. Wilson, 
the supposed mother, appropriately seated 
nearly opposite the door of entering. Mrs. 
Smith passed in first, then Mr. Vest, followed 
by Mr Smith, who at once stepped forward 
a little, and made a suitable introduction of 
the parties concerned, naming Mr. Vest as 
"the lost child," the subject of recent cor- 
respondence, and the expected son. 

The mother rose from her seat, to take 
the stranger by the hand, but the excitement 
was too great. She again fainted. As soon 
as she recovered from her swoon, and her 
recollection had returned, she reached forth 
her hand again, for the hand of her supposed 



92 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

child. She embraced him, kissed him with 
all the warmth of a mother's heart, and ex- 
claimed, "O, my son! my son!" and 
sobbed aloud ; all others present wept too, 
and wept freely. The fountains of sym- 
pathy and joy were deeply stirred with- 
in them, as they beheld the mother, forget- 
ting in the child of four years the son of 
thirty-four, and clasping him to her bosom 
as the dear one of almost helpless infancy, 
as he was thirty years ago, when she last 
caressed him. A mother's love, 

" knows no change while life endures." 

When this most affecting, melting scene, 
had passed, and the flood of joyous tears 
flowed off, all countenances looked bright 
and cheerful as the sun after a refreshing 
shower; and then followed from Mrs. W. 
remarks like these — " can it be! O, my son ! 
What ! my eyes see him I have buried a 
hundred times ! 'Tis a dream! and yet I 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 93 

should have known him in the crowd of a 
thousand." Several observations were also 
made by others ; some in regard to the strong 
resemblance between mother and son. 

About this time, Mr. Wilson returning to 
his house, and finding that his wife had left, 
and had been seen going to Mr. G.'s, direct- 
ed his course there also, not knowing fully 
what had happened. He entered the room, 
amidst the company, and feeling the infirmi- 
ties of age, seated himself in a chair, that 
was unoccupied. Mr. Smith now unex- 
pectedly to Mr. W., introduced Mr. Vest as 
the lost boy of whom he had heard, and 
who, he supposed, was his son. The man 
of years sat in silence a few moments, looked 
up, and fixed his eyes upon the young man, 
dropped his head and wept aloud, and began 
to confess, apparently with deep sorrow 
and penitence, his want of paternal affec- 
tion, and of a father's care and kindness 
towards the son, when a child in infancy. 



94 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

It seemed as though his heart would break 
at the recollection of scenes that occurred 
more than thirty years ago. Here the son 
kindly interrupting him. said, " why dwell 
painfully upon the past ? It is all forgiven, 
according to the teachings of my Divine 
Master, whose spirit I hope that I in some 
measure possess." 

" To err, is human ; to forgive, divine." 

That sad and yet profitable season of heart- 
felt confession on the part of the father, and 
of forgiveness on the part of the son, was 
followed by sweet peace and affection in 
each of their bosoms, and by words of play- 
fulness and pleasantry from the company, 
in relation to the family resemblances. " He 
has his father's eye," said one. " Their 
foreheads are alike," said another. " He 
has his mother's nose," said a third. " Her 
chin, too," said another. " Don't you see 
the father in his cheek ?" exclaimed another. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 95 

It was now between two and three o'clock, 
and the company becoming weary of stand- 
ing, some sat down, and others left, while 
Mrs. Wilson and Mr. Vest retired, for a spe- 
cial and private interview, to another room, 
with which at her request, they had been 
kindly favored. In the meanwhile, the fa- 
ther filled with joy, hastened among his 
neighbors to share with them the overflow- 
ing happiness which he was now experi- 
encing. The mother was anxious to hear a 
recital of her son's life from his own lips — 
those lips that she had supposed had long 
been sealed in death. She desired to hear a 
thousand things at once, and still could hear 
but one at a time. That interview was to 
them very precious, and one during which, 
each was confirmed in the belief, that they 
sustained to each other the relation of mo- 
ther and son. On joining their friends 
again, they were met with expressions of 



96 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

gratitude to God, so congenial to pious 
hearts, for what he had wrought in behalf 
of the child of many sorrows, and in behalf 
of the parents, in permitting them once more 
to set their eyes on a son long lost, but now 
found. 

Mr Vest, wearied out in a great measure 
with what had transpired, sought retirement. 
But there was no retirement for him that 
day. Where he sought it, several came to 
see the " lost boy," to each of whom he was 
introduced. And such was the anxiety to 
hear the adventures of his childhood and 
youth, that the "Narrative" was again 
sought and read by a gentleman present, 
while all sat and listened as if they had 
never heard a sentence of it before, though 
the " Narrative" of "the cast-off, or stolen 
boy," was familiar to many of the citizens 
of Ontario, and had excited considerable in- 
terest in the place ; but a sight of the per- 
son it identified, gave a new zest to the facts 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 97 

therein stated. As the reading went on, 
one exclaimed, " This beats all I ever 
heard !" Said another, "Well, P., did you 
ever hear such a marvellous account before? 
Observed another, " I have heard the old 
folks tell about their son, that was lost, but 
I never believed I should see him." " He 
looks like his father." "No," exclaimed 
another, " not so much as he looks like his 
mother." " Come in here, John, Mr. Wil- 
son's son has come," while it was remarked 
in a low tone, " Strange things have hap- 
pened here to-day ! " 

After a short season had been thus spent, 
Mr. Vest, with some two or three others, 
started off to see the homestead, to look at 
the buildings and land of Mr. Wilson. Hav- 
ing spent an hour or so of recreation in this 
way, they returned to Mr. G.'s, where tea 
was furnished by the kindness of the good 
lady of the house, accompanied and followed 

by a pleasing and refreshing interview. 

8 



98 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

Many were the interchanges of kind, social, 
and generous feeling. After the evening's 
repast, Mr. Wilson, wife and son, went home 
to spend the night, to retire from the bustle, 
the heart-affecting, and yet soul-cheering 
scenes of the day, to enjoy the calm and 
tranquilizing influence of the private inter- 
course of kindred spirits, for the first time 
during many years. But they could not 
yet be alone, though the evening was some- 
what advanced. They had scarcely reached 
their dwelling, when one — and others called 
to make inquiries and to congratulate them 
upon the events of the past day, and to re- 
joice with them in their new sources of hap- 
piness. 

When they were left alone, it was late at 
night, and weariness, from effort and excite- 
ment, began imperiously to demand repose. 
The mother took the family bible, and read 
a portion of its precious contents. The son 
then poured out his soul in prayer to God, 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 99 

thanking Him for strange, preserving mer- 
cies. The father sobbed aloud, the mother 
wept, and, unwilling to repress her feelings, 
as the son closed his entreaties, she followed 
in humble prayer of thanks and supplica- 
tions to their kind Benefactor. They now 
retired, having committed themselves to a 
Providence " strangely kind," and still look- 
ing to him for protection and blessings. 
The son was soon lost in refreshing sleep, 
and the father might be resting quietly, but 
the mother could not sleep, her joys were so 
great. She rose, lit the lamp, and with all 
the anxiety of a mother watching the repose 
of an infant in the cradle, carefully ap- 
proached the bedside, gazed upon his coun- 
tenance, and wept in silence lest she should 
awake him from his slumbers. At break of 
day she was again by his side to look upon 
the slumbering features of her darling son, 
and when he awoke, to bless him with a 
mothers l^ears, smiles and kisses. 



100 ABRAHAM VEST, OR 



" What is a mother's love? 

A noble, pure, and tender flame, 

Enkindled from above." 

Such is the account of a few hours only, 
in the history of Mr. Vest. Though his life 
for years had been spent in ignorance of pa- 
rents and kindred, and, as the consequence 
had been much embittered — now came a 
season of compensation, in a small degree, 
for the past — full of gushing sweetness, and 
of rare interest — such indeed as none can 
have, without his experience and depriva- 
tions. Thus, our kind Heavenly Father, 
who gives us not all darkness, makes the 
sun shine more pleasantly after the storm, 
brings out to us joy and profit from sorrow 
and misfortune. 

" Life hath its trials and its gladsome hours." 

It is not in the power of language to ex- 
press the emotions of joy that pervaded a 
father's heart, and swelled a mother's bosom. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 101 

and filled the son's soul, as they mingled in 
social intercourse ; and, after the lapse of 
thirty years, used again towards each other 
the endearing words of father, mother, and 
son, — surrounded the altar of prayer, and 
implored the blessings of heaven upon the 
household. Especially was the strength of 
a mother's love strikingly exhibited, and an 
interesting portion of Divine truth beautiful- 
ly and forcibly illustrated, in the constant 
gazing of that mother upon her son, and in 
the frequent smoothing of his locks, as she 
was wont to do in the days of his infancy. 
She could not forget 

11 To gaze upon that dearest sight, 
To guard his slumbers with delight, 
Such is a mother's love." 

The small, quiet village of Ontario, never 
probably saw a period of rarer interest, and 
of happier influences, than the brief hours 

whose occurrences have just been described, 

8* 



102 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

and with great particularity indeed. But 
how seldom has it been the lot of man to 
witness such interviews and events — events 
and interviews so well calculated to fill our 
hearts with gratitude for social natures, and 
to rouse up the best feelings of the soul ! 
Well, then, may we pause for a moment, 
and look minutely on a scene like this, that 
reminds us so forcibly of the father's recep- 
tion of the prodigal son — even of the joy in 
heaven over a penitent sinner, as poetically 
expressed : 

" Through all the courts the tidings flew, 

And spread the joy around ; 
The angels tuned their harps anew, 

The long lost son is found ! " 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 103 



CHAPTER IX. 

LETTER — FESTIVALS — SABBATH MEETINGS — ADIEUS — 
DEPARTURE. 

" Ah, does not every raptured thought, 

Now burn with brighter beam, 

At this fond meeting after years 

Of separation's dream ! 

And does not every pulse respond 

To what the heart would say ? 

Yet cannot vent the gush of thought, 

That drives each word away !" 

This description of the poet was more 
than realized in the meeting of parents and 
child, as is farther evinced by the following 
letter from Mr. Smith to Mrs. Vest, dated 

Post Office, Ontario, N. Y. 
May>2\, 1847. 
Madam, 

Your husband, Mr. Abraham Vest, re- 
quests me to inform you that he arrived at 



104 ABRAHAM VEST. 

my house this day at half past eleven o'- 
clock, A. M. in good health and spirits. He 
has had an interview with Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilson, and all parties are satisfied that 
they are his parents. 

To see parents and children meet, after 
thirty years' absence, is affecting under any 
circumstances. But in the case of your 
husband and his long lost parents, the meet- 
ing was too affecting for words to express a 
proper idea of the scene. Accept of my res- 
pects for yourself and friends, who have 
been instrumental in bringing this myste- 
rious matter to so successful an end. 
Your obedient servant, 

Chas. P. Smith, P. M. 

While Mr. Vest remained in Ontario, 
every effort was made by his parents and 
others to render his stay there pleasant and 
profitable. At one time, he, with his father 
and some others of his new acquaintances, 






I 



|f>l 



6'Ib 






106 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

was seen taking a delightful excursion on 
the lake ; at other times surveying field and 
forest scenery ; or holding cheerful inter- 
course at the dwelling of friends ; and some- 
times attending festivals gotten up especially 
on his account. At these gatherings, re- 
spectable numbers were drawn together, 
from feelings of curiosity and social cheer ; 
and things suitable to such festive occasions 
were furnished in abundance, and partaken 
of, intermingled with profitable remarks. 

During one such an assemblage, enjoyed 
the day following the first interview, and 
while they were regaling themselves around 
the table, spread in front of the happy home, 
a motion was made, seconded, put, and 
unanimously passed, that their new ac- 
quaintance should no longer be called Abra- 
ham Vest, but should henceforth be known 
among them by the name of John N. Wil- 
son — the name of the lost child, as early 
recorded in the family bible. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 107 

In all these interviews and festivals, 
much of a religious character mingled. Ex- 
pressions of thankfulness to God were often 
heard, and devotional exercises enjoyed. 
This feature connected with the lost child's 
first visit to his parents is worthy of notice, 
and must be peculiarly gratifying to the 
pious mind. 

11 Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 

The most precious hours which Mr. John 
N. Wilson spent in Ontario were enjoyed 
with his parents at home. It was all affec- 
tion there. The father would say with 
much delight, 'John has come ! J Tis like 
a dream ! John has indeed come.' And 
the mother would tell how often she had 
sought in public places and thoroughfares 
her son, as did Joseph and Mary the babe 
of Bethlehem ; that she had not seen a boat 
for years but she had looked anxiously 
among the crowd — had gazed thus an hun- 



108 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

dred times, to see if she could not spy out 
her darling child. Yes, it was the language 
of her heart, 

" Come back to me my child, oft I look for thee, 
All the day long I listen for thy voice, 
The ringing" laugh that made my heart rejoice, 
Thy blue eyes of love and light I long to see." 

By day and by night, Mrs. Wilson de- 
sired to have her eyes constantly upon her 
son, and to give him frequent tokens of af- 
fection. All the while she seemed to view 
him as he was thirty years ago, needing the 
constant care of a mother's watchful eye 
and ministering hand. Every incident, all 
that had taken place during the long sepa- 
ration, was eagerly sought and listened to 
with great pleasure. But we must not pen- 
etrate too far into the sacred enclosure of 
home. " Home, sweet home !" There the 
long lost child is seen again, held in the 
fond embrace. God witnessed the scene, 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 109 

and smiled upon it, as in the morning and 
evening devotions incense from grateful 
hearts was borne up to the good Shepherd, 
who " tempers the rough wind to the shorn 
lamb." 

The Sabbath that the subject of this his- 
tory spent in Ontario, was to him and others 
one of peculiar interest. He attended meet- 
ing where his parents worshipped, at some 
distance from their home, and with a denom- 
ination of the same sentiment which he and 
they entertained. As he called at the house 
of the pastor, in the morning, on his way 
to meeting, and was introduced to him as 
the " lost boy," the reverend gentleman, 
with much surprise mingled with joy, ex- 
claimed, "is it possible that this is the per- 
son set forth in the ' Narrative 1 ' " at the 
same time grasping his hand and shaking it 
heartily. " Little did I think." he contin- 
ued, "that I should ever see that child." 
They entered the house of God and wor- 
9 



110 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

shipped in company. The season was soon 
profitably passed. The pastor, just before 
he pronounced the benediction, introduced 
to the congregation, publicly and formally, 
Mr. Wilson the younger, as the " cast-off 
or stolen boy ;" in consequence of which a 
very deep interest was awakened in his be- 
half through that respectable body of wor- 
shippers, and was manifested, in various 
ways at the close of the public services. 

In the afternoon, the clergyman took his 
text in the Song of Solomon 2:4. " He 
brought me to the banqueting house and his 
banner over me ivas love" In his sermon 
he made several happy allusions to the 
eventful scene of the parents meeting their 
long lost child, the joy expressed, the 
tokens of friendship at the feast they had 
enjoyed the day previous — " fruit sweet," 
— u banner over" them " love." At the 
close of the sermon, the lost child was un- 
expectedly to himself, called upon to offer 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. Ill 

the concluding prayer. Thus ended the 
solemn services of that day — 

" The day divinely given 

When men to God their homage pay, 

And earth draws near to heaven." 

These hours of affection and of strange 
interest fled but too rapidly. It was the 
last festival meeting. Time passed unob- 
served. The moment of parting came. The 
Bible was introduced, and an appropriate 
portion of it read, and then Mr. John N. 
Wilson, by request, offered prayer. A deep 
sense of the divine presence pervaded the 
assembly — such as is seldom felt. It was 
probably the last prayer they would ever all 
engage in together. But if it should be an- 
swered, they will all mingle their praises to 
God in company around the throne above. 

" Prayer is the Christian's vital breath, 
The* Christian's native air, 
His watchword at the gates of death, 
He enters heaven with prayer." 



112 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

The parting scene between parents and 
child, a few hours afterwards, also came. 
At the table they implored the divine bless- 
ing, as they had been wont, but could not 
partake of the bounties upon it. The pa- 
rents' tears would steal silently down their 
careworn cheeks, and the son felt oppressed. 
Soon the final period was reached. The 
parting hand was given to all present, ac- 
companied with pious wishes and expres- 
sions of thankfulness for special favors and 
kindness received. Some retired, unable to 
endure the scene. It was deeply affecting. 
The parents were bidding adieu to their 
only son,* who for years had been lost, and 
whom, but just now, they had looked upon 
again for a brief moment. This may be 
the final adieu. The scene cannot be de- 
scribed. It was not precisely like other 
parting scenes of the kind. The difference 

* They have had several children since they went to On- 
tario, but these all died in infancy. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 113 

may perhaps be imagined by those whose 
solicitude to keep a precious treasure safely 
has been increased by its escape for a sea- 
son from their knowledge and anxious 
search. 

" But who can e'er describe the tears 

We shed when thus we sever, 

If doomed to part, for months, for years ; 

To part, perhaps forever ? 

Then let us form those bonds above 

Which time can ne'er dissever, 

Since, parting in a Saviour's love, 

We part, to meet forever ." 



9^ 



114 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 



CHAPTER X. 

RETURN — INCIDENT — ARRIVAL HOME — MOTHER'S LET- 
TER. 

" So changeful is life's fleeting day, 
Whene'er we sever, Hope may say, 
We part, to meet again." 

Mr. Wilson was now taken by Mr. Smith 
to New London, fourteen miles. Thence 
he went to Camden, to visit a brother of his 
wife. After spending a short season there 
very pleasantly, he returned to New Lon- 
don, and took the cars for Utica and Albany. 
He is now rapidly hastening towards the 
home of his wife and children, with a new 
name, and a lock of hair — the name and 
lock of his infancy — with a knowledge of 
his age gained from the sure family record — 
with the images of his parents impressed on 
his soul — with many little presents for his 
family, as tokens of affection packed up by 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 115 

a mother's hand, and with a letter full of 
affection for his companion at his far-off 
dwelling place. Thus he returned with 
meditations and feelings far different from 
those in which he indulged while going to 
Ontario; having treasured up a volume of 
incidents, impressions and recollections, to 
afford solace and pleasure in future years. 

On his way home, he tarried a night at 
Albany, and while passing along the street 
in the evening, without a single acquaint- 
ance in the city, his ear caught the voice of 
prayer. He listened. It came from a ves- 
try near. Thither he bent his steps, in sol- 
emn, joyous haste. He was soon among 
the worshippers — was gratified with the de- 
votional services, and constrained to add his 
testimony to the value of an interest in 
Christ. And the following extract will 
show, that nothing is lost by seeking the 
house of prayer, and in bearing witness to 
the truth, even among strangers. It is taken 



116 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

from the Evening Journal, a paper published 
in Albany, N. Y., and headed, 

" An Incident." 

'• Those persons who were present at the 
prayer meeting at Dr. Welch's Church, on 
Friday evening last, will recollect, that 
towards the close of the meeting, a young 
man, apparently a stranger, entered, and 
took a seat with the assembly. Opportunity 
being given for exhortation from any, the 
stranger arose and remarked, that while he 
was waiting for the cars to leave for Massa- 
chusetts, he happened to be strolling by the 
door, and hearing the voice of prayer, had 
entered ; and although a stranger, he already 
felt that he was among Christian brethren, 
who used the same language and followed 
the same Master. The writer of this, im- 
pelled by the Yankee propensity, and being 
himself a native of Massachusetts, at the 
close of the meeting sought an interview 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 117 

with the stranger, and learned from him the 
following particulars. 

" Some months ago, if will perhaps be re- 
collected that a long account was published 
in many of the papers, (and in the Evening 
Journal among the rest, I believe,) of a 
young man who was living in the vicinity 
of Worcester, Mass., who was either lost or 
stolen from his parents nearly thirty years 
ago, — whose only recollection of the matter 
was, that he was taken from a large and 
thickly settled place, (Albany, as he has al- 
ways supposed,) and carried he knew not 
whither — that after strolling through the 
country some years with a company of va- 
grant Indians, with whom he suffered almost 
incredible hardships — having on one occa- 
sion narrowly escaped being murdered by 
one of their number — he finally escaped 
from them at Providence, R. I., and after 
living in one place and another, located in 
New England Village, in Grafton, Mass., 



118 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

where he was married, about ten years ago, 
and has since resided. 

" The account was prepared by a Baptist 
minister, and originally appeared in the 
Boston Christian Watchman, from which it 
was extensively copied into the papers 
through the country. There has been much 
sympathy felt for the individual, as he 
neither knew where he was born, or whether 
any of his kindred were in the land of the 
living, and was, moreover, entirely ignorant 
of his own name and age. He has, howev- 
er, for many years, called himself and been 
known by the name of Abraham Vest. 

"It seems that the above account fell into 
the hands of an aged couple in the town of 
Ontario, Wayne Co., N. Y., who felt a pecu- 
liar interest in this case ; and the post-mas- 
ters of Ontario and New England Village, 
opened a correspondence on the subject. 
The result of it is, that Mr. Vest had just 
been out to see his supposed parents, and 



THE CAST-OFF PwESTORED. 119 

was on his return to Massachusetts when 
the writer saw him as above narrated. 

" His journey was successful ! The mo- 
ment the mother saw her long lost son, she 
fainted. But the more cautious son, anx- 
ious to ascertain to a certainty whether 
these were indeed his parents, required un- 
mistakeable proofs. 

" The mother, with a mother's memory, 
described the mark upon his back, and the 
scar upon his foot. He could no longer 
doubt, and the scene that followed may be 
better imagined than described. The pa- 
rents rejoiced over the ' son that was found.' 
The son, who supposed himself an orphan, 
rejoiced to find his parents — even in their 
old age. He also ascertained that his real 
name is John N. Wilson, and his age, about 
thirty-four years. 

"At the time of the separation, the father 
was somewhat dissipated, and this prob- 
ably was one cause of the calamity. The 



120 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

writer saw and read a letter from the mo- 
ther, which the son was carrying to his 
wife — the new daughter-in-law. It was a 
most touching and affectionate epistle, from 
one, who, after the frosts of nearly sixty 
winters had passed over her, had again 
found new objects of affection. 

" It may, perhaps, be proper to state, that 
it is the intention of Mr. Vest, alias Mr. Wil- 
son, to publish, hereafter, an account of his 
somewhat eventful, and romantic history. 

"Albany, June 3, 1847. T. W. V." 

The writer of the above extract, not for- 
getful of the Apostolic injunction, Heb. 11 : 
2, — entertained the stranger during his short 
sojourn in the city, and at his departure, 
cheered him on his way. Hospitality is a 
Christian duty, and every one who bears 
the name of Christ, should remember and 
practice it. The Saviour marks the person 
who gives a cup of cold water to a disciple 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 121 

from love to the Master, and will not allow 
him to lose his reward. 

" Blest are the men whose mercies move 
To acts of kindness and of love ; 
From Christ the Lord shall they obtain 
Like sympathy, and love again." 

Mr. John N. Wilson, having been absent 
about two weeks, arrived home in safety, 
and found his family in usual health and 
spirits, waiting to receive him. Indeed, 
they were overjoyed at his return and his 
success in finding his parents — were de- 
lighted with the various presents marked 
and sent to them, and also much cheered 
with the verbal and written communica- 
tions. 

The following " touching and affectionate 
epistle," from Mrs. Wilson to Mrs. Vest, the 
wife of her son, referred to, in the above 
communication found in the Albany Eve- 
ning Journal, is here inserted, and will be 
10 



122 



ABRAHAM VEST, OH, 



read with interest. It was written for her 
son to take with him home. 

Ontario, May 23, 1847. 

Since I call your husband my son, may 
I take the liberty to call you my daughter ? 
If so, I would say to you, dear daughter, 
that God in mercy has smiled upon me in 
restoring my son, that was once lost, but 
now is found. And what shall I render 
unto the Lord for all his benefits towards 
me ? My pen cannot paint the blessed in- 
terview that I have had with him. I feel 
that heaven and earth are full, and my 
bosom is full too. My trembling frame 
could hardly bear the interview with my 
darling son, and how can I endure the sepa- 
ration ? That God whom I love alone can 
bear me up. I trust that I shall have your 
prayers, and the prayers of my darling. 
May the blessing of God rest upon you both 
in all your undertakings. Sally, I know 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 123 

that I love you for my son's sake, and your 
children also. Give my best respects to my 
beloved grand children. I long to fold them 
in my arms. My heart has been made to 
leap for joy. But now my bosom swells 
with grief at the thought of his departure. 
Dear child, consider the age of your moth- 
er, fifty-five years old, and the many afflic- 
tions that she has passed through, and then 
you will be prepared for making allowance 
for the broken manner in which these lines 
come to you. 

Give my love to your dear mother. May 
the Lord bless her for giving her child to 
my lost son, and adding so much to his 
happiness, when he had none to protect him 
but the God he loves. If John should tell 
you of my childish acts, your good sense 
will forbid you to say that mother was a 
simpleton. No doubt you could say she 
acted foolishly, for T could hardly refrain 



124 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

from holding him in my arms as I did when 
he was a little child. 

So no more at present, only I remain 
Your affectionate mother till death, 
Lydia Wilson. 

What a striking exemplification of the 
special providence of God is presented in 
the facts recorded in the preceding pages ! — 
In taking a glance at the life of this friend- 
less, cast-off child, from his earliest years 
till he arrives at the maturity of manhood, 
you at once discover a delivering and pro- 
tecting arm stretched out in his behalf — not 
only in his rxear escapes from death, but in 
his preservation from social and moral in- 
fluences, the only tendency of which is to 
corrupt and destroy. At one time, he is 
scarcely saved from a watery grave; at 
another, the fatal blow of the cruel savage 
is stayed by an unseen hand; and then 
again, he is mysteriously preserved from 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 125 

perishing from cold and hunger. He is in 
the midst of intemperance, but he is kept 
from touching the intoxicating cup; — He is 
in the very dwelling of her whose " steps 
take hold of death." but he is saved from 
her fatal grasp ; — He is associated with the 
vile, the vicious and profane, but he is pre- 
served from their baneful influence. In all 
these perils and exposures, God was not an 
unconcerned spectator ; and though he per- 
mitted him to pass through such sufferings 
and corrupting scenes, it was only that Di- 
vine mercy, ip. his deliverance and preserva- 
tion, might appear more conspicuous to him 
in after life — awaken in his mind a deeper 
sense of his entire dependence on Him, and 
of leading him to fly to Jesus as his only 
refuge, his God, his all. 

10* 



J26 ABRAHAM VEST, OK. 



CHAPTER XL 

SOME FARTHER ACCOUNT OF THE PARENTS — PAIN- 
FUL DISCLOSURES. 

" Sweet visions those, that cheer our way ? 
And lead our weary spirits on ; 
As sunbeams on a winter's day, 
So bright, so beautiful are they, 
But oh ! so quickly gone." 

Some forty years ago, Mrs. Wilson, then 
a girl about fifteen years of age, spent a 
season in Boylston, Mass., as a scholar un- 
der the instructions of the Rev. Mr. Cotton, 
at that time minister of the town. Those 
happy days were passed amidst the very 
scenes where her long lost son John N. Wil- 
son, years afterwards, commenced house- 
keeping — an interesting circumstance, to 
which allusion has already been made. 
Those hours, yea the period of youth, of 
hope and promise, fled swiftly. At length, 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 127 

about 1810, Miss Lydia Negus, " whilst 
keeping school in Manchester, Vt., became 
acquainted with Mr. William Wilson, 
whom she soon afterwards married." 

At that time, intemperance was rife and 
increasing. The nation was rapidly be- 
coming a nation of drunkards. Nothing 
comparatively had been done to arrest the 
wide-spreading flood of desolation. A de- 
mon from the nether world, like the destroy- 
ing angel passing through Egypt, was slay- 
ing the first-born of the land — men of rare 
intellect — first in attainments and promise, 
and causing weeping and lamentation in 
almost every dwelling. Thousands of deli- 
cate and confiding females had their fairest 
prospects blasted, and their hopes crushed, 
by its prostrating, ruinous influence upon 
the objects around which their affections 
had entwined themselves. Heaven only 
knows how many and how awful have 
been the scenes produced by the poisoned 



128 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

bowl — scenes which must be endured to a 
considerable extent in solitude and silence — 
the sufferers being cut off in a great mea- 
sure from the sympathies and consolations 
that come to hearts rent and wretched by- 
afflictive providences. 

The new home of the youthful and con- 
fiding Lydia, furnished such scenes. The 
spoiler of domestic peace found its way 
there ; commenced the work of cruelty and 
wretchedness, and eventually impelled the 
husband to join the army. Mr. Wilson en- 
listed during the last war between the Unit- 
ed States and England, and was an officer 
under Capt. P., and in the division com- 
manded by Gen. Dearborn. 

Soon after he had left home as a soldier, 
he was informed of the birth of his second 
child, the subject of this history, who was 
named John Negus Wilson, in part after his 
mother's maiden name, and in part after an 
uncle John, who died about this time. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 129 

How much was the kindness and assistance 
of the husband and father then needed by 
that mother, and her innocent, helpless 
daughter and son. But he is engaged in 
other business, and affords no aid, or joy 
at home. After the war had closed, Mr. 
W. returned to his family at Dummerston, 
Vt, probably not much benefited by past 
companionship and employment. 

What must be the effect, upon the soldier, 
of preparing himself to take human life ! Is 
it right to do it ? Has war Heaven's ap- 
proval? "He that taketh the sword shall 
perish by the sword" 

" It was but yesterday that two nations met 
In battle dire, and each with God's great name 
Upon its lips, went murdering all the day ; 
At eve, the victor, full knee deep in blood, 
Cried ' Glory ! glory !' to the frightened wind, 
And all the people with an idiot smile 
On their puffed cheeks, cried glory to the stars 
That shuddered at the sound." 



130 ABRAHAM VEST, OR 



How wide the contrast between such 
shouts of victory, and the angels' song over 
Bethlehem's babe, " Glory to God in the 
highest, and on earth peace, good will to- 
tvards men!' 1 ' 1 And how immensely un- 
like the spirit of war is the spirit of Him, 
who on the cross prayed for his murderers 
— still let them live ! If a foe must be kill- 
ed, a i fine and noble way' to do it, is i not 
to kill him,' but ' with kindness' to 

" So change him that he will cease to be so ; 
And then he's slain." 

Mr. Wilson, soon after his return, went 
with his family to live in Boulton, Warren 
co., N. Y. He had now ceased to be a 
soldier in the national army; but he still 
trained, to the great injury of the peace and 
happiness of himself and household. In- 
deed, during one of these training times, 
when in a high state of feverish excitement, 
produced probably by strong drink, he se- 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 131 

verely whipped Abraham, to make him 
disclose the author of some trivial offence, 
and, not succeeding in his purpose, in a fit 
of phrenzy which came suddenly upon him, 
he siezed the child, carried him to a spring of 
water near at hand, and thrust him beneath 
its surface, and held him there until life 
became so far extinct that it required the 
anxious and unceasing efforts of friends all 
night to restore the little sufferer. Oh, 
spirit of - raging!' Thou monster of cru- 
elty and wickedness, that destroyest the 
reason, and convertest human beings into 
fiends ! 

Scenes of cruelty and peril like this were 
not always to be endured. Consequently, 
Mrs. Wilson, with the advice and assistance 
of friends, and " unknown to her husband,' 7 
went to Troy, N. Y., to visit a sister of 
hers, who was married and residing in that 
place, taking her children with her. The 
morning before she started^ the Rev. A. G., 



132 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

the Presbyterian minister of the town, put 
into her hand, unsolicited, a paper, signed 
by himself and several respectable citizens 
of the place. From this paper the follow- 
ing extract is inserted, as due to Mrs. W., 
showing the character she sustained at this 
most sad and disastrous period in the history 
of that family. 

" This certifies that Mrs. Lydia Wilson 
has lived in this place about a year, and as 
far as is known, has fulfilled all relative 
duties to her husband, children and neigh- 
bors, and nothing appears to destroy charity 
for her as a Christian." 

It is evident also, from this certificate, that 
Mrs. W. left her husband " agreeable to the 
advice of all her neighbors." And yet how 
lamentable is such a separation of parents ! 
Mrs. Wilson, after spending several months 
in Troy, returned to Dummerston, Vt., 
taking her daughter with her, and leaving 
her son in the care of her sister in Troy. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 133 

John at this time was about four years of 
age. 

Mr. Wilson, after his wife and children 
had left him, went to Ontario, Wayne Co., 
N. Y., taking with him what little effects 
he then had. About a year afterwards, he 
returned to Warren Co., N. Y., to the town 
of Johnsbury. Here Mrs. W. commenced 
again living with him, through the solicita- 
tions of some of his friends, soon after which 
they removed to Ontario, the place of their 
present residence. The daughter was al- 
lowed to remain in the care of friends in 
Vermont, and the son at this time was " un- 
derstood to be living with a family of Dutch 
people who resided in Troy, and who had 
no children of their own, where he was 
well cared for." This apparently favor- 
able arrangement for his welfare was 
specially pleasing to the mother, who, fear- 
ing a repetition of past scenes, felt unwilling 
11 



134 ABRAHAM VEST, 0R> 

that Mr. Wilson should ever again have 
any control of the children. 

They were now in a new country, desti- 
tute in a great measure of this world's 
goods, pressed with cares and anxieties, 
having no mails, or means of public con- 
veyance like those now enjoyed, and at a 
long distance from Troy. Under such cir- 
cumstances it would not be very surprising 
if the mother should obtain but little or no 
intelligence from her son — that child of 
whom, on several accounts, she felt indis- 
posed to remind the father. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 135 



CHAPTER XII. 

MYSTERY EXPLAINED — HAPPY CHANGE MOTHER'S 

LETTER — CONCLUSION. 

" Where is the troubled heart, consigned to share 
Tumultuous toils, or solitary care, 
Unblest by visionary thoughts that stay, 
To count the joys of Fortune's better day? " 

Time rolled off rapidly, and when no ti- 
dings came from John, the mother contented 
herself as well as she could, in supposing 
that he was "well off," as she had every 
reason to believe, and that she should soon 
hear from him again, or welcome him some 
time to her fond embrace. Years, however, 
swiftly passed, and no tidings from Troy 
as yet reached her humble home ; until at 
length she entirely lost sight of her sister 
and son; — and respecting the existence or 
residence of that sister, she has now no in- 
formation. Could she be found, more might 



136 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

be learned of the history of the subject of 
this narrative while in Troy, and also 
relative to the Dutch family in which he 
was left in his early childhood, and perhaps 
more information might be gained in regard 
to his leaving that family, and respecting 
the time, occasion and way of his departure, 
from Troy, and the cause of his subsequent 
wanderings and sufferings. As it is, Abra- 
ham's recollection of seeing two women 
talking together on the sidewalk in some 
11 thickly inhabited place, " and of his being 
persuaded by the promise of a pleasant ride, 
and of sweetmeats, cake and sights, to get 
into some carriage, and ride with one of 
them, affords the probability, that he was, 
from some cause, wickedly and cruelly "cast 
off u by the Dutch family, or some other 
family, where it must have been expected 
that he would be favored with kind care, 
and a good home. Whoever perpetrated 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 137 

the grievous wrong upon the innocent child, 
must answer it at the court of heaven. 

" Tender and kind be all our thoughts, 
Through all our lives let mercy run." 

Since the day when Mr. Wilson trained 
as a warrior, a great reform in the cause of 
temperance has come over the nation, scat- 
tering its blessings on every side. It reached 
Ontario, and the veteran soldier yielded to 
its influence, and his home became peace- 
able, pleasant, and comfortable. 

Says the post-master of that place in his 
communications, " William and Lydia Wil- 
son have been residents of this town some 
twenty-eight or twenty-nine years. They 
have always been called honest. Mr. W., 
some years ago, often drank to l excess ; ' 
and when under the influence of strong 
drink, he was very quarrelsome. He is, 
however, quite a different man from what 
11* 



138 ABRAHAM VEST. 

he must have been at the time he lived in 
Vermont. He has for several years been a 
quiet and peaceable citizen, and they have 
lived together quite happily. About five 
years since/' the post-master adds, " I ob- 
tained his name to the pledge of total absti- 
nence, which he has faithfully kept." He 
is indeed a reformed man. Reformed! 
There is something in this expression, that 
has made chords in human bosoms vibrate 
in harmony with the music of heaven. We 
honor such men, and rejoice that they are 
becoming numerous ; that an army of them 
has already risen up to bless society, to 
maintain u the right," and to battle manfully 
the hydra-headed enemy, so difficult to de- 
stroy, but whose destruction must come, and 
then shall be heard the shout of triumph, 
long and loud, as the monster is cast back 
again into the bottomless pit, to deceive the 
nations no more forever. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 139 

It must, indeed, have afforded joy to the 
readers of this history, to have just learned, 
that from another dwelling — from the ear- 
ly home of the " cast-off boy," the bitter 
enemy to domestic peace and happiness has 
been thrust out, and temperance with its 
thousand smiles and blessings has taken its 
place. Now the affections of a mother's 
heart can flow forth unrestrained towards 
loved objects, while the father's mingle in 
unison, as is clearly evidenced by the fol- 
lowing letter from Mrs. Wilson to her son, 
dated 

Ontario, June 11, 1847. 
Absent, though affectionate Son and 
Daughter, — After my greatest love to you 
and yours, I would inform you that my 
health is as good as it was when you left 
here, and I hope this will find you well. I 
received your letter June 10th, and it was a 
happy prize to me. I was glad to hear that 



140 ABRAHAM VEST, OR, 

you arrived safe at home, and found family 
and friends all well. I feel to praise God 
that my dear son lives, and that I can cor- 
respond with him by letter, if I am depriv- 
ed of seeing him ; although it seems as if 
my heart would run out, when I think of 
him and his suiferings. But I feel to put 
my trust in God, and believe that all things 
work together for good to them that love 
Him. 

" Your father is well, and often speaks of 
you, and says that he never saw any one 
that he loved so well. Friends all send 
their love to you. Will you write me again 
as soon as you can : for my anxiety is so 
great for you ; and write whether you think 
that you shall come here to live or not. 
For I am making preparation for you and 
your family, as well as for myself. Our 
crops look very promising. Give my love 
to your wife, and your wife's mother, and 
your children. Kiss your children for me. 



THE CAST-OFF RESTORED. 141 

This from your unworthy mother, till 
death. God bless you and yours. 

Lydia Wilson. 

In taking leave of the Wilson family, we 
catch the mother's pious wish, that reminds 
us of our dependence on God ; and we will 
cast the like of it afloat again, in hope that 
it may be wafted to heaven. May the 
Lord indeed bless the child of so many 
hardships, and his family : make him in 
every commendable respect like that belov- 
ed disciple who stood by the cross, and re- 
ceived the Saviour's confiding, parting re- 
quest, in the affectionate utterance, " behold 
thy mother." The Lord bless also the pa- 
rents in their loneliness, beside the graves 
of all their children born to them in Ontario. 
Give them the joys of his presence, fruitful 
fields, a cloudless setting sun, and an abun- 
dant entrance into the everlasting kingdom. 
And may the good hand of the Lord be 



142 ABRAHAM VEST. 

upon us all, filling our hearts with gladness 
and kindness, directing our steps, making 
us useful on earth, and preparing us for 
heaven : 

In that pure home of tearless joy, 

Earth's parted friends shall meet, 
With smiles of love that never fade, 

And blessedness complete ; 
There, there adieus are sounds unknown ; 

Death frowns not on that scene, 
But life and glorious beauty shine 

Untroubled and serene." 



OCT 7 1901 



